VehicleVerdict

2006 GMC Canyon problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2006 GMC Canyon sits mid-pack among Canyon years: 81 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 61, with 4 recalls and one closed investigation.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 21 reports (26% of the total).

81

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Canyon years?

See all Canyon years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 GMC Canyon problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System2126%
Brakes1114%
Engine911%
Body & Structure67%
Fuel System67%
Lighting67%
Visibility & Wipers56%
Latches & Locks56%
Airbags45%
Speed Control22%
Tires & Wheels22%
Seat Belts11%
Suspension11%
Transmission11%
Other11%

Does the 2006 GMC Canyon have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

10V575000Child SeatNovember 18, 2010 · 192,676 units

Defect

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2011, CHEVROLET COLORADO, GMC CANYON, MODEL YEAR 2006, ISUZU I-280/I-350, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2008, I-290/I-370, REGULAR CAB VEHICLES AND EXTENDED CAB VEHICLES WITHOUT A REAR SEAT AND EQUIPPED WITH A FRONT 60/40 SPLIT BENCH SEAT. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE TOP TETHER ANCHOR FOR THE FRONT CENTER SEAT IS NOT ACCESSIBLE AND THE OWNER MANUAL DOES NOT INCLUDE INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING HOW TO USE THE TOP TETHER.

Consequence

BOTH NHTSA AND GM DISCOURAGE PLACEMENT OF A CHILD IN A FRONT SEAT. NEVERTHELESS, THERE ARE INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES THAT MAY REQUIRE PLACEMENT OF A CHILD IN A RESTRAINT IN THE FRONT CENTER SEATING POSITION OF THIS VEHICLE THAT DOES NOT OFFER A REAR SEAT. LACK OF ACCESS TO THE TOP TETHER ANCHOR AND A LACK OF INSTRUCTIONS AS TO HOW TO USE IT, MAY RESULT IN IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF A CHILD RESTRAINT. IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF A CHILD RESTRAINT CAN RESULT IN A REDUCTION IN THE RESTRAINT'S PERFORMANCE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH AND AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH TO THE CHILD SEATED IN THE RESTRAINT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL CUT A HOLE INTO THE BACK PANEL TRIM COVER TO ALLOW ACCESS TO THE TOP TETHER ANCHOR FOR THE FRONT CENTER SEAT POSITION AND WILL PROVIDE SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION AS TO USE IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727 OR VISIT GM'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

09V310000LightingJuly 29, 2009 · 185,903 units

Defect

GM IS RECALLING 185,903 MODEL YEAR 2004-2009 COLORADO, GMC MODEL YEAR 2009-2004 CANYON, MODEL YEAR 2006 I-280, I-350, MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 I-290, AND I-370, PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, ARIZONA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NEVADA, NEW MEXICO, PUERTO RICO, SOUTH CAROLINA, TEXAS, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS AND UTAH. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A BRAKE LAMP SWITCH THAT MAY NOT WORK AS DESIGNED DUE TO CONTAMINATION IN THE SWITCH.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE SIMULTANEOUS LOSS OF ALL BRAKE LAMPS OR CAUSE ALL OF THE BRAKE LAMPS TO STAY ON CONTINUOUSLY. BOTH OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD FAIL TO WARN OTHERS OF THE DRIVER'S INTENTIONS AND COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS AS SPECIFIED IN THE RECALL BULLETIN FREE OF CHARGE. GM ANTICIPATES THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE BY JUNE 2010. A SPECIAL COVERAGE FOR VEHICLES REGISTERED IN ALL OTHER STATES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE SAME TIME FRAME. IN THE INTERIM, OWNERS WHO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE CAN OBTAIN A FREE REPAIR, HOWEVER THEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO RETURN WHEN THE NEW DESIGN PART BECOMES AVAILABLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727 OR AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

06V139000LightingApril 27, 2006 · 404,733 units

Defect

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS MAY EXPERIENCE THE PERMANENT LOSS OF BRAKE LAMP FUNCTION OR BRAKE LAMPS THAT ARE ILLUMINATED AT ALL TIMES. THE CENTER HIGH-MOUNTED STOP LAMP (CHMSL) IS AFFECTED IN BOTH INSTANCES. ALSO, IF EQUIPPED, THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL BECOME INOPERATIVE. ANY TRAILER BRAKE LAMPS WHICH ARE CONNECTED TO THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE LAMP WIRING WILL MIMIC THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE LAMPS WHEN EITHER CONDITION OCCURS.

Consequence

A FOLLOWING DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW WHEN THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN APPLIED, AND A REAR-END CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 5, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 OR ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.

05V552000OtherDecember 7, 2005 · 32,068 units

Defect

CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SHIPPED WITH TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABELS LISTING AN INACCCURATE VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT.

Consequence

A MISPRINTED LABEL COULD LEAD TO IMPROPER VEHICLE LOADING SPECIFICATIONS OR TIRE INFLATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A TIRE FAILURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECTED LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. AT THE CUSTOMER'S OPTION, A DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, OR ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. WE BELIEVE THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IN THE STEERING COLUMN BECAUSE WE HAD SLIGHT DIFFICULTIES WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. *JB

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 24, 2006 · fire

GAS PEDAL AND BRAKE PEDAL TO CLOSE .WHEN WEARING CONSTRUCTION BOOTS THE LIP OF THE BOOT WILL CATCH BEHIND THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT IS VERY DANGEROUS THE FIRST DAY FOR WORK I WAS BACKING UP SO MY BODY WAS TWISTED SO I CAN REVERSE AND I HIT ANOTHER CAR BECAUSE MY FOOT WAS STUCK. *NM

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 16, 2006 · crash

The Passlock System intermittently fails and prevents the fuel pump from pumping fuel to the engine. Even after paying GMC to repair the truck, the problem persists.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 1, 2010

The Passlock System intermittently fails and prevents the fuel pump from pumping fuel to the engine. Even after paying GMC to repair the truck, the problem persists.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · January 1, 2010

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH RECALL NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 09V310000. THIS IS A REOCCURRING MALFUNCTION AFFECTING 187,000 VEHICLES, MODEL YEARS 2004-2009. THE REPAIR GMC PERFORMS IS ONLY A TEMPORARY FIX AND PRESENTS A SAFETY DANGER TO OWNERS. MANY OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME MALFUNCTIONS OVER AND OVER…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · December 7, 2017

2006 GMC Canyon — common questions

Is the 2006 GMC Canyon reliable?

It is close to typical for the Canyon: 81 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2006 Canyon problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (21 complaints), brakes (11 complaints), engine (9 complaints).

Does the 2006 GMC Canyon have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 GMC Canyon. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2006 GMC Canyon under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which GMC Canyon years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Canyon years to avoid are 2015, 2016, 2024, 2005, 2004, 2023. The cleanest record among Canyon years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.